Garlic Parmesan Creamed Spinach

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

Silky-smooth spinach cooked with garlic and heavy cream, finished with a rich Parmesan sauce for a velvety keto side dish. This american-inspired keto ready in about 15 minutes pairs Spinach, Butter, Garlic for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 180 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 5 min Cook: 10 min Serves 4 American cuisine 180 cal/serving
Build a week of meals around this recipe → Shop this recipe on Instacart → Shop equipment ↓

Ingredients

Equipment for this recipe

Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.

More Knives & cutting boards → Shop all kitchen tools →

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Rinse spinach under cold water, drain well, and remove tough stems. Heat 2 tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat until melted.
  2. Step 2: Add 3 minced garlic cloves and cook 1 minute until fragrant, stirring constantly to prevent browning.
  3. Step 3: Add 10 oz fresh spinach to skillet, stirring until wilted and reduced to half its volume (about 5 minutes).
  4. Step 4: Stir in 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan, 1/4 tsp salt, and 1/8 tsp black pepper. Cook 3-4 minutes, stirring until sauce thickens and coats the spinach.
  5. Step 5: Remove from heat immediately to prevent curdling, then serve warm.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Garlic Parmesan Creamed Spinach take to make?

Total time is about 15 minutes (5 min prep + 10 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Garlic Parmesan Creamed Spinach?

Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep spinach from drying out.

Can I substitute ingredients in Garlic Parmesan Creamed Spinach?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Garlic Parmesan Creamed Spinach for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 4 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 4). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Garlic Parmesan Creamed Spinach?

American keto like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

What others are saying

Related recipes